Pear Blossom Queen to be selected March 26 at NMHS

Eight Jackson County high school senior girls will compete to be queen of the 2011 Pear Blossom Festival in Medford at the 21st annual Senior Royalty Scholarship Pageant, set for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the North Medford High School auditorium.

Comment

MailTribune.com

Writer

Posted Mar. 17, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 22, 2011 at 11:46 AM

Posted Mar. 17, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 22, 2011 at 11:46 AM

» Social News

Eight Jackson County high school senior girls will compete to be queen of the 2011 Pear Blossom Festival in Medford at the 21st annual Senior Royalty Scholarship Pageant, set for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the North Medford High School auditorium.

Contestants are Teague Teece of Ashland High School, Quinby Barrows of Butte Falls High School, Sarah Haga of Crater High School, Allison Cary of North Medford, Karinda Farley of Phoenix High School, Miki Radford of South Medford High School, Heather Huntley of Eagle Point High School and Kelli Alcantara of Cascade Christian High School.

They will be judged on school leadership skills, academic achievement, community involvement, an interview with the judges, writing and presenting an essay and answering impromptu questions on stage.

Each princess automatically earns a $500 college scholarship. The winner will reign over the Pear Blossom Parade on April 9 and receive a $2,000 college scholarship.

Admission to the pageant is $8 for adults and $6 for students. Children under 6 get in free.

Entertainment includes the Dance Arts Center and a ballroom dance competition. Five couples from Kranenburgs Dance Steps Studio will compete for $1,000 cash prizes donated by Jeff Palpant of Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney.

For more information, call pageant director Darcey Mann-Self at 541-840-7209.

Here are the princesses' biographies:

Karinda Farley is the daughter of Eddie and Rachelle Farley. Her GPA is 3.6. Her scholastic honors and awards include National Honor Society, Varsity Athlete scholar, National Cheerleading Association All-American Team Member for three years, 2008 National Pac-West Champion Cheerleader and Shrine Bowl cheerleader for three years. She also won the 2010 Leadership Award from the National Cheerleading Association. She plans to attend the University of Oregon in the fall, majoring in journalism. After college, she plans to become a television anchor or host and start her own film production company.

Miki Radford is the daughter of Harvey Radford and Lisa VanDriel. She has a GPA of 3.99. Her scholastic honors and awards include Honor Roll, the 4.0 Academic Honor Roll and the Torch Honor Society. She also has competed in a regional acting competition and a solo and ensemble competition. She plans to attend Rogue Community College for two years, and then the University of Oregon. She plans to become a high school teacher, teaching literature and composition or vocal music.

Sarah Haga is the daughter of Greg and Valerie Haga. She has a GPA of 4.16. Scholastics honors include class valedictorian, Advanced Placement Psychology Student of the Year, AP U.S. History Student of the Year, Future First Citizen Scholarship finalist, Wendy's Heisman Scholarship state winner, top Algebra II student and Principal's List. She was also the Central Point Rotary Student of the Month, won the President's roundtable YMCA Teen of Character Award, and received the City of Central Point Multicultural Youth award. She also received the Academic Achievement Award from the Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools. She plans to attend a four-year university and major in public health science.

Kelli Alcantara is the daughter of Carlos and Jenny Alcantara. She has a GPA of 3.77. Her scholastic honors include the Distinguished Christian High School Student award, Academic Excellence awards in world history and English, Physical Fitness Award, homecoming queen, Kiwanis Student of the Month, Rotary Club award and state finalist in the Poetry Out Loud competition. She plans to attend a Christian college to obtain a degree in biblical studies. Her goal is to minister to underprivileged women and children.

Allison Cary is the daughter of Tony and Deborah Cary. Her GPA is 3.9. Her scholastic honors and awards include the YMCA Teen of Character Award, Student of the Month by the Soroptimist Club and March of Dimes White Rose Award. She plans to attend the University of Portland on an ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation with a nursing degree, she plans to serve four years of active duty as a nursing officer and then four years in the Army Reserve.

Quinby Barrows is the daughter of Cliff and Gabriella Barrows. Her GPA is 4.0. Scholastic honors and awards include National Forensic League Outstanding Distinction Award, National Honor Society, Honor Roll, school Actress of the Year, Principal's Award, National Forensic League Student of the Year and numerous speech awards. She'll compete in the forensic league's national finals June 13-18 in Dallas. She plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in theater and possibly a master's. After graduation, she would like to be an actor on stage and screen.

Teague Teece is the daughter of Dena Matthews and Jim Teece. She has a GPA of 3.5. Scholastic honors and awards include Honor Roll, 2010 Scholar Athlete award and Top 10 Academic All State OSAA Dairy Farmers of Oregon Award. She plans to play volleyball at Linn-Benton Community College while studying in the pre-veterinary program at Oregon State University, then veterinarian school at OSU to become a large and small animal veterinarian.

Heather Huntley is the daughter of William and Susan Huntley. Her GPA is 3.98. Scholastic honors and awards include the Scholar Athlete Award, Academic Excellence awards in English and Spanish, Top 10 Academic Award, top 5 percent of her class, Principal's List, Gold Gown and Rotary Student of the Month. She plans to obtain a bachelor's degree in health studies concentrating on physical activity and exercise.